Flying machine



Feb. 1K2, 1929.v

W. T. DAVIS FLYING MACHINE Filed Aug. 25, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 QNML .n

244. AERONAUTlCS Feb. l2, 19.29.

W. T. DAVIS FLYING MACHINE Filed Aug. 25, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR l? ,mm

244. AERoNAUTlGS Feb. 12, 1929.

w. T. DAvls FLYING MACHIE Filed Aug. 25, 192'? 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 244. AERONAUTlCS Patented F eb. 12, 1929.

WALTER T. DAVIS, OF WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA.

FLYING MACHINE.

Application led August 25, 1927. Serial No. 215,361.

The present invention relates broadly to the art of aeronautics, and more particularly to a heavier than air flying machine of the aeroplane type.

It has heretofore been proposed in the art to which this invention relates to provide aeroplanes with safety attachments, or to so construct the same as to provide the maximum possible safety factor consistent with efliciency.

The present invention has for one of its objects the provision of an improved construction such that the overall weight of the machine is not materially changed, and such that certain of the standard parts thereof may be caused to assume different positions in such manner as to provide increased safety in the event of engine trouble or damage to the machine.

In the accompanying drawings there are shown, for purposes of illustration only, certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, it being understood that the drawings do not define the limits of my invention as changes in the construction and operation disclosed therein may be made without departing either from the spirit of the present invention or the scope of my broader claims.

In the drawings,-

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one form of aeroplane constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the construction shown in Figure 1;

Figure 2a is a detail view on an enlarged scale illustrating the rotatable mounting for the wings;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the same machine with the parts in different position;

Figure 4 is a detail view, on an enlarged scale, illustrating one manner of supporting the wings in flying position; and

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

In accordance with the present invention, there may be provided a fuselage 2 of any desired construction having the usual undercarriage 3 and tail skid 4. There may also be utilized a propeller 5 in accordance with well-known practice, which cooperates with the usual fin 6, tail planes 7 rudder 8 and elevators 9 for the usual purpose.

Cooperating with the fuselage is a pair of wings 10 and 11, which wings in flying position operate in the usual manner. The wings may be held in this position by providing them on their under sides with seats 12 having recesses 13 for the reception of locking bolts 14. The locking bolts are operatively connected to toggle links 15 controlled by a hand lever 16 through a connecting link 17. If the hand lever 16 is released and moved in a counter-cloclnvise direction, as viewed in Figure 4, it will be apparent that the bolts 14 are withdrawn from the recesses 13. Each of the wings is pivotally carried on a substantially centrally extending shaft 18 about which the wings may rotate a predetermined amount in opposite directions, such rotation being initially produced by means of springs 19. These springs are so constructed that they operate upon the wings to effect rotation of the planes into opposite angular relation, as indicated, for example, in Figure 3. In this position the wings are permitted to operate as a screw propeller, the wings as a whole rotating about an axis 20. In actual use, it may be assumed that by reason of ydamage to the machine, stalling of the motor, or improper manipulation of the controls, the entire machine starts to fall. The operator may thereupon release the hand lever 16 to permit the springs 19 to throw the wings into such position that they may operate as a propeller. The actual position which the wings will assume with respect to the fuselage is dependent upon the actual direction in which the fuselage is falling. Assuming it to be falling tail first, in accordance with the showing of Figure 3, the wings will immediately swing into the position illustrated in this figure, this swinging movement being permitted by a yoke 21 having a pivotal mounting 22 with the fuselage. The yoke 21 carries a bearing 23 from which the pin 20, constituting the axis of rotation of the wings, projects. The yoke is of such dimensions that it will clear the ends of the propeller 5 in swinging to the position shown.

After the wings swing into the position of Figure 3, they immediately commence to rotate due to the downward speed of the fuselage, and thereupon will immediately act somewhat in the capacity of a helicopter for checking the speed of descent of the machine.

In Figure 5 there is illustrated a slight-ly modified embodiment of the invention, parts in this figure corresponding to parts already described being designated by the same reference characters having a prime affixed thereto. In accordance with this form of the invention, the wings l0 and 1l when released into the dotted line position shown in Figure 5, rotate about the axis of a rod 24, whereby they tend to maintain the entire machine in its normal flying position during its descent. The wings may be suitably carried for relative angular movement about a shaft 18 carried by a sleeve 25 rotatable on the rod 24. l/Vhen the hand lever 26 is released, the wings will be permitted to move upwardly, struts 27 pulling them into the angular position shown.

With both embodiments of my invention, the wings during normal operation serve in the capacity of sustaining means for the plane, and during falling will, upon release, serve in the capacity of a helicopter, tending to Check the descent of the machine. In case a safe landing` is effected, the means may be again secured in operative position and the flying resumed. A construction of this character materially increases the safety of flying without any material increase in the overall weight of the machine. i

I claim:

1. In a heavier than air iiying machine, a fuselage, supporting wings and'means for connectng the supporting wings to the fuselage comprising a pivotally mounted yoke shaped to pass over the forward end of the fuselage adapted to support the wings in a plurality of positions relative to the fusela e.

g2. In a heavier than air flying machine, a fuselage, supporting wings therefor, and means for connecting the wings to the fuselage comprising a pivoted yoke shaped to pass over the forward end of the fuselage adapted to occupy a plurality of positions relative to the fuselage and a rotatable connection whereby the supporting wings may rotate relative to the fuselage.

3. In a heavier than air flying machine, a fuselage, supporting wings therefor rotatable about their longitudinal aXes and transversely of the fuselage, supporting means for the wings comprising a yoke shaped to pass over the forward end of the fuselage and having a pivotal engagement with the fuselage and a rotatable connection between the yoke and the wings, whereby the yoke is eective for supporting the wings in a plurality of angular positions relative to the fuselage and the wings are effective for rotation about the fuselage for exerting a lifting effectthereon.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set i my hand.

WALTER T. DAVIS. 

